This photo taken on Aug. 28, 2024 shows milk tea infused with traditional Chinese medicine ingredients in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]
During her lunch break, 28-year-old office worker Li Qing heads straight to a chain health center in a bustling mall in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, relying on a rejuvenating session of massage and moxibustion to combat work fatigue.
"This is my secret weapon against work burnout," Li said, flashing a three-session pass on her phone. In nearby treatment rooms, clients unwind amid the rich herbal scent of moxa, mingling with the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee from downstairs. This scene offers a snapshot of the growing wellness craze of urban Chinese.
From herbal teas to smartwatches, Chinese youth are leading a "refined wellness" revolution that blends science, personalization and lifestyle. Unlike older generations' somewhat passive habits, such as drinking hot water, Chinese youngsters see wellness as a daily act of optimization.
According to a report on the consumption trends of Generation Z nutrition released by Xinhuanet, young people are becoming the main force in health consumption -- with young consumers aged 18 to 35 accounting for 83.7 percent of China's health consumers.
Liu Junkang, general manager of Jin'aitang Health Management Co., Ltd., said that young people are willing to pay for high-quality health products and favor personalized services.
At a herbal milk tea shop in front of a hospital, crowds could be seen queuing for innovative blends like dark plum milk and angelica cassia tonic brew. "Our recipes combine traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wisdom with modern culinary tech," said Liao Changying, director of the nutrition department of Chongqing Jiangbei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Liao's team has developed over 40 wellness foods -- ranging from medicinal gummies to protein-rich pastries. As young consumers embrace TCM, clinical consultations have surged by 30 to 35 percent annually in the nutrition department of this hospital.
Liu Shiting, a 25-year-old fitness enthusiast, scrutinizes yogurt labels using three nutrition apps in a supermarket in Fuzhou in east China's Fujian Province. "Label-literate" consumers like Liu have helped nurture a premium health snack sector now commanding a significant market share.
Tech is also reshaping the wellness game. When programmer Zhang Yang's smartwatch vibrates after 90 minutes of sitting, he steps away from his work for a round of Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese aerobic exercise, while his health app logs the activity in real time.